knowledge about the nature of human interaction. Our point of view is that a
communication theory does not yet exist, at least not in any singular sense;
what the current literature affords is rather a core of theories related to particular
phases of communicative behavior. Such theories represent four distinct levels of
analysis. At the first and most inclusive level of communication theory, human
interaction may be approached as a system of behavior. The next and somewhat
more specialized level of analysis focuses upon the human component of a com-
municative act--the decoding-encoding process. A third level of theory aims at
an understanding of the concept of interaction, that is, the particular means by
which communicators are linked or "co-oriented" in any communicative ex-
change. Lastly, communication theory deals with the importance of the context
or encompassing situation in which human interaction takes place. The book is
so arranged that each major section corresponds with one of the four levels of
theory discussed in the introductory chapter. The four levels of analysis form
a broadly based and useful perspective from which to understand the dynamics
of human communication more effectively.

Foundations of Communication Theory is designed to meet three needs. The
first grows out of our conviction that communication theory is, in its own right,
a subject worthy of intense and systematic instruction. This book is planned,
then, as a basic text for an expanding number of courses in speech, communica-
tion, social psychology, and related disciplines that provide a core of funda-
mental knowledge about the constituent aspects of the processes of human com-
munication. This book also may be useful as a supplementary text for basic
courses in speech and interpersonal communication. Finally, the content may
have utility as resource material for more advanced courses in persuasion, com-
munication theory, group communication, organizational communication, social
psychology, and mass communication.

Since the text is directed to the general reader, we included only those
readings which contain (1) broadly based content, comprehensive in scope, (2)
a behavioral and theoretical orientation to some fundamental aspects of human
communication, and (3) material suitable for undergraduate students in intro-
ductory courses. The last consideration in every case could not be maintained
without compromise. The reason is the result largely of the rather technical and
specialized level of much current literature on communication. However, the
topics discussed in this book (with possibly two or three exceptions) do not go
beyond the level of technicality of most texts for college freshmen in the be-
havioral sciences.

The preparation of this book was truly a joint venture. All of the decisions
grew out of a dialogue between the collaborators that lasted two years; con-
sequently, the required decision about the order of names on the title page was
resolved arbitrarily. Since neither of us can assign priority for specific decisions,
each willingly assigns any oversights to the other.

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